Champion Romantic Warrior created some special history when emphatically winning his third Group I Hong Kong Cup at Sha Tin on Sunday.
Undoubtedly one of the best horses in the world, Romantic Warrior has been in rare air for the last year or more, winning his last seven starts including five in his home land to go with Australia’s G1 Cox Plate and Japan’s G1 Yasuda Kinen.
In fact it’s been rare air for a number of years, with his career now standing at 22 starts for 17 wins, nine at Group One level.
The seven year-old Danny Shum trained gelding went to the gates a prohibitively short priced favourite and James McDonald made full use of his inside draw to lead early before taking a sit on the rail.
Midway along the back straight he shifted off the fence, ensuring clear air for when things got serious, and when they did he was in a class of his own, winning by a length a half from Japan’s Liberty Island (Duramente) with Tastiera (Satono Crown) third.
He becomes the first horse to win the Hong Kong Cup three times and sets a new prizemoney record for Hong Kong with his $HK177,322,706. We’ll call that $AUD35million, give or a take few dollars.
“Unbelievable,” was McDonald’s immediate summation.
“The Japanese put it to him but with no luck. He’s the best.
“Anyone could ride him, he’s that easy. But I’m the lucky one. Horse of a lifetime
“This was our moment to create history.”
Bred in Ireland by Tim Rooney and David Egan of Corduff Stud, Romantic Warrior was originally purchased by Mick Kinane on behalf of the Hong Kong Jockey Club for 300,000gns at the 2019 Tattersalls October Yearling Sale before sold at the Hong Kong International Sale to Peter Lau for HK$4.8 million ($814,000).
He is the third foal of the Street Cry (IR) mare Folk Melody, which was an €82,000 purchase for Blandford Bloodstock from the Godolphin draft at the 2016 Goffs November Breeding Stock Sale.
His sire Acclamation died at age 25 last week, only a few weeks after being officially retired from stallion duties at Rathbarry Stud in Ireland having sired 68 stakes winners.
